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Rugby Championship 2018: Reasons for optimism and concern for Australia

14 agosto 2018 23:25

Australia will have to arrest an alarming run of form if they are to upset the odds and deny powerhouses New Zealand Rugby Championship glory.

The Wallabies face a daunting opener against world champions the All Blacks in Sydney, a venue where they shipped 54 points to Steve Hansen's men 12 months ago, on Saturday.

A year ago, Australia won only two matches and finished second above South Africa only on points differential.

Head coach Michael Cheika has plenty to ponder, but there are positives as well for the men in yellow. We take a look at the positives and negatives ahead of the tournament.

NEGATIVES:

CENTRE CRISIS

Australia are lacking in options at centre. Samu Kerevi sustained a ruptured bicep and is not expected to return until the trips to South Africa and Argentina in the latter stages of the tournament at the earliest.

Fellow outside centre Tevita Kuridrani is also expected to miss a large chunk of the Championship with a pectoral issue.

Reece Hodge will likely fill the void, while the returning Matt Toomua provides depth at centre and fly-half, but it is an area opposition teams are likely to focus on.

With the Rugby World Cup just a year out, Cheika has been successful in convincing several of Australia's exports to return to Super Rugby.

Kurtley Beale and Will Genia are back on Aussie soil, while the skilful Matt Toomua is restored to the squad having agreed a deal with Rugby Australia and Waratahs - who he will join after the 2018-19 Premiership season with Leicester Tigers.

David Pocock also returned for the 2018 Super Rugby season, having had a spell in Japan, while captain Michael Hooper recently signed a new five-year deal.

MOTIVATION

This might seem an obvious one, but there is no doubt that there is motivation.

Firstly to end New Zealand's stranglehold on the trophy but, perhaps just as importantly, to prove that competition is still strong in the Southern Hemisphere.

Add in the fact that several players in an ageing squad will know they face a last-chance saloon ahead of next year's World Cup, there is plenty to play for.